Leader: Adam Lallana has established himself as the man pulling the strings in midfield for Southampton

United: Mauricio Pochettino will be able to keep his Southampton squad together this summer

And it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Jay Rodriguez, the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season, and Adam Lallana, who has scored nine goals and assisted six could also attract interest, especially if they make the England squad for the 2014 World Cup.

But, speaking after Southampton announced a net loss of £7.1 million for the year ending June 30, 2013, club director Hans Hofstetter claimed they are not in a position to sell any of their big-name assets.

Hofstetter also suggested that Saints, eighth in the Premier League table after a 4-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday, would be equipped to strengthen this summer.

He told BBC Radio Solent: 'The most important point is that we are in a position where we do not need to sell any player Mauricio (Pochettino) wants to keep.

'We have a very strong squad and we are still in a situation where we are free enough to act quickly if quick action is asked from us.'

In the past Southampton have relied heavily on the sales of young talent to balance the books with Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving between 2006 and 2011.